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  • Metamorphosis: Portraits of Song

    Experience an extraordinary evening where art and music intertwine in a one-night-only concert featuring the brightest female singer-songwriters of the Jersey Shore, drawing inspiration from the captivating artworks of Nanci France-Vaz. Christine Elise, Pam McCoy, Mary McCrink, Laura Johnson, and Genevieve are among those featured in Vaz’s narrative figure paintings on exhibition this spring in the Pollak Gallery. These talented artists step out of the canvases to perform live in an evening celebrating female artistry and inspiration.

    This concert is in conjunction with the opening reception for the gallery exhibition Metamorphosis: Works by Nanci France-Vaz on April 26 from 6-8 pm. The opening reception is FREE to the public, however tickets are required to attend the concert.

  • Metamorphosis: Works by Nanci France-Vaz

    Metamorphosis: Life is all about transitions from one time in life to another. Artists of any art from have dreams of becoming a master in their genre, successful in their career, and recognized to the masses. The models in the paintings are artists in music, art, and performing art  based on a moment in their life or a narrative Nanci has created from film, literature or poetry. Figurative storytelling is infused with light, patterns, and human presence to that have visual impact and make the viewers ponder over the meaning and left to their interpretations. France-Vaz is known for her Imaginative Portraits that render allegorical symbols combined with story and imagination. Most of the work is of female artists that never give up hope or their dreams of becoming a reality.

    Artist Demo: March 9 from 3-6
    There will be a live demo of The Imaginative Portrait with Pam McCoy. Click here to RSVP to the FREE DEMO

    Artist Reception:     April 26 from 6 -8 PM

    This exhibition is in conjunction with the concert Metamorphosis: Portraits of Song on April 26 at 8 pm. The opening reception is FREE to the public, however tickets are required to attend the concert.

    Bio:

    Nanci France-Vaz is a modern renaissance artist that uses allegorical symbolism to create visual stories on canvas. France-Vaz draws inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite and Naturalist periods of art, poetry, and classic literature, and film. She combines her strong foundation in life painting with imaginative backgrounds fusing classical with contemporary realism.

    The artist was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the UWS in Manhattan in 2002 to study portrait and figurative art. She was the recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship Award and earned a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 3D Computer Animation for Film and Special Effects.

    France-Vaz has exhibited at the Dacia Gallery NYC, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Modern European Art for ModPortrait and first round of Figurativas,  Abend Gallery, Principle Gallery, Lovetts Gallery, Eisele Gallery, Butler Insitute of Fine Art, National Arts Club NYC, and Salmagundi Club NYC. She has had 3 solo shows. Her solo exhibit at DaciaGallery, NYC will be in October 2023 dates TBA.

    Nanci France-Vaz has won  of many notable awards nationally. She is the recipient of the ARC Salon Purchase Award in Imaginative Realism for the 16th Annual ARC Salon, Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Honorable Mention, Best in Show Wausau Museum, 2nd Place Southwest Art Artistic Excellence, Len G Everett Memorial Award, Joseph Hartley Memorial Award, John Collins Award, Colonel George J Morales Award, PSOA 3rd Place , ARC Salon, International Artists People & Figures 2021, and Best in Show Portrait Award, Petite Gallery.

    The concepts of her works are based on a moment in time, classical literature, film, and poetry, introducing a modern subject or twist to her story. Her intent is to combine hope, spiritual beliefs, and the human condition. Most of her models are professional musicians, artists, actors, and dancers.  The spiritual, the mystical, and the mythical have underlying tones and meanings left for the beholder to ponder and engage psychologically. Having studied film and Stanislavski Method Acting allows for a spiritual connection to her subjects expressing emotion and mood. Her study of lighting and movement, through acting, dance, and theater is the catalyst for creating a still image from a cinematic process.  France-Vaz’s patterns of life express a life experience or moment of thought in time.

    France-Vaz has been published in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, ModPortrait 2020/2021,  American Art Collector, Southwest Art Magazine, , ARC Salon, International Artists, Realism Today, and Leonardo Guide Artelibre 2021,

    Her paintings and commissions hang in private collections.

  • The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night: A Retrospective

    Class Schedule: April 30 and May 2 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This summer marks 60 years since the release of the Beatles’ first and best feature film, A Hard Day’s Night. Through interview clips, video and pictures, this 2-session virtual course taught by Scott McLaren will chronicle the Beatles’ rise to success in their hometown of Liverpool, the explosion of Beatlemania across Britain in 1963, their subsequent conquering of the US in early 1964, all leading to their critically acclaimed first film and soundtrack. We’ll see clips from those who were involved in the film including United Artists executives, the film Producer, Director, the Beatles and others within their inner circle. Lastly, we’ll discuss and listen to song excerpts from the exclusively Lennon-McCartney soundtrack. As most things Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night remains infectious, lasting and fun.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night: A Retrospective

    Class Schedule: April 30 and May 2 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This summer marks 60 years since the release of the Beatles’ first and best feature film, A Hard Day’s Night. Through interview clips, video and pictures, this 2-session virtual course taught by Scott McLaren will chronicle the Beatles’ rise to success in their hometown of Liverpool, the explosion of Beatlemania across Britain in 1963, their subsequent conquering of the US in early 1964, all leading to their critically acclaimed first film and soundtrack. We’ll see clips from those who were involved in the film including United Artists executives, the film Producer, Director, the Beatles and others within their inner circle. Lastly, we’ll discuss and listen to song excerpts from the exclusively Lennon-McCartney soundtrack. As most things Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night remains infectious, lasting and fun.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Self-Publishing, Step-by-Step

    Class Schedule: Tuesdays – April 16 and 23, 2024 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This two-session virtual course taught by Christy Schmidt, provides participants with a complete roadmap to guide them through the self-publishing process.

    Content will include:

    • Appreciate the modern publishing market
    • Overcome the infamy and dispel the mystique of self-publishing
    • Become aware of self-publishing scams
    • Realize realistic time and financial costs of self-publishing
    • Understand how to prepare a manuscript using self-publishing applications
    • Choose the appropriate genre and length for marketing exposure
    • Discover when a copyright license is required for quotes and pictures
    • Attract the perfect beta readers and professional editors
    • Understand the vital purpose of cover art and how to find a talented digital artist
    • Define the minutia of publishing: ISBNs, Bar Codes, LCCNs and BIFACs
    • Appreciate superior book design and explore design resources
    • Time obtaining and registering your copyright
    • Review marketing essentials: both virtual and brick-and-mortar solutions
    • Explore self-publishing outlets like Amazon and IngramSpark – and understand how their competitive natures can help or harm your efforts
    • And more!

    Christy A. Schmidt, Esq. has served as a professor and instructor for over thirty years. A graduate of Emerson College and Rutgers University School of Law, she prides herself on guiding students to master all areas of communication. The warm reception for her self-published novel, Treasure, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, inspired her to retire from a twenty-year law practice to follow creative pursuits. Her texts, Talk it Out: Mastering Critical Discourse and No Words: Mastering Nonverbal Communication assist students and professionals with critical thinking, perception and public presentation. Among her other works is her photo-exploration, To A Lighthouse which delights juveniles and adults with beautiful photos of each New Jersey lighthouse and engaging family-bonding exercises. She serves as an adjunct at both Kean and Monmouth Universities, offers private workshops for professionals, operates a portrait studio, manages a virtual art gallery, and continues to publish fiction and nonfiction work.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Self-Publishing, Step-by-Step

    Class Schedule: Tuesdays – April 16 and 23, 2024 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This two-session virtual course taught by Christy Schmidt, provides participants with a complete roadmap to guide them through the self-publishing process.

    Content will include:

    • Appreciate the modern publishing market
    • Overcome the infamy and dispel the mystique of self-publishing
    • Become aware of self-publishing scams
    • Realize realistic time and financial costs of self-publishing
    • Understand how to prepare a manuscript using self-publishing applications
    • Choose the appropriate genre and length for marketing exposure
    • Discover when a copyright license is required for quotes and pictures
    • Attract the perfect beta readers and professional editors
    • Understand the vital purpose of cover art and how to find a talented digital artist
    • Define the minutia of publishing: ISBNs, Bar Codes, LCCNs and BIFACs
    • Appreciate superior book design and explore design resources
    • Time obtaining and registering your copyright
    • Review marketing essentials: both virtual and brick-and-mortar solutions
    • Explore self-publishing outlets like Amazon and IngramSpark – and understand how their competitive natures can help or harm your efforts
    • And more!

    Christy A. Schmidt, Esq. has served as a professor and instructor for over thirty years. A graduate of Emerson College and Rutgers University School of Law, she prides herself on guiding students to master all areas of communication. The warm reception for her self-published novel, Treasure, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, inspired her to retire from a twenty-year law practice to follow creative pursuits. Her texts, Talk it Out: Mastering Critical Discourse and No Words: Mastering Nonverbal Communication assist students and professionals with critical thinking, perception and public presentation. Among her other works is her photo-exploration, To A Lighthouse which delights juveniles and adults with beautiful photos of each New Jersey lighthouse and engaging family-bonding exercises. She serves as an adjunct at both Kean and Monmouth Universities, offers private workshops for professionals, operates a portrait studio, manages a virtual art gallery, and continues to publish fiction and nonfiction work.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Don’t Stop Believin’: Race and Class in Rock Music

    Class Schedule: Tuesdays – February 20 & 27 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    Since exploding on the scene in the late 1970s, Journey has inspired generations of fans with hit after hit. This two-session virtual course taught by David Hamilton Golland dispels rehashed myths and also shows how race and class in popular music contributed to their breakout success. As the economy collapsed and as people abandoned the spirit of Woodstock in the late 70s, Journey used the rhythm of soul and Motown to inspire hope in primarily white teenagers’ lives. Decades later, the band and their signature song remain classics, and now, with singer Arnel Pineda, they are again a fixture in major stadiums worldwide.

    David Hamilton Golland is a historian, professor, and writer with a wide background in twentieth-century social and cultural history. He is dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University and founder of The Journey Zone (journey-zone.com), the leading source for all things Journey over two decades.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Don’t Stop Believin’: Race and Class in Rock Music

    Class Schedule: Tuesdays – February 20 & 27 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    Since exploding on the scene in the late 1970s, Journey has inspired generations of fans with hit after hit. This two-session virtual course taught by David Hamilton Golland dispels rehashed myths and also shows how race and class in popular music contributed to their breakout success. As the economy collapsed and as people abandoned the spirit of Woodstock in the late 70s, Journey used the rhythm of soul and Motown to inspire hope in primarily white teenagers’ lives. Decades later, the band and their signature song remain classics, and now, with singer Arnel Pineda, they are again a fixture in major stadiums worldwide.

    David Hamilton Golland is a historian, professor, and writer with a wide background in twentieth-century social and cultural history. He is dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University and founder of The Journey Zone (journey-zone.com), the leading source for all things Journey over two decades.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • PleinAir Oil Painting Course

    Gina Torello, a professor in the Art and Design Department at Monmouth University for 20 years, will guide you in this NEW one-of-a-kind workshop. She will be teaching a step-by-step guided oil painting course the neo-classical in Erlanger Gardens on the campus of Monmouth University. The class will cover compositional structure perspective, color theory, diverse application of materials and most of all the process of “capturing the LIGHT in the open air like the Impressionists.” New Wave Pochade Easels will be provided to all participants for use during your exclusive lesson, along with a comfortable pleinair chair to relax and paint at during the class.

    All levels of experience in oil painting are welcome. A detailed supply list will be provided prior to the course.

    About the Instructor:
    Gina Torello is an accomplished, professional artist with more than 30 years of teaching experience in fine arts higher education. She earned her M.F.A. with a concentration in painting in Florence, Italy, from the Dominican University where she trained with renowned international instructors. Gina specializes in oil painting and pastels, focusing on a blend of impressionism and realism. Her subject matter is primarily nature-based with a heavy concentration in landscapes and seascapes. Gina’s work has been prominently featured in galleries, exhibitions, and art shows in the U.S. and abroad.

  • PleinAir ChiaroScuro Drawing Course

    Gina Torello, a professor in the Art and Design Department at Monmouth University for 20 years, will guide you in this NEW one-of-a-kind workshop. She will be teaching a step-by-step guided Academic Drawing Course in the neo-classical Erlanger Gardens on the campus of Monmouth University. The class will cover compositional structure perspective, diverse application of materials and most of all the process of “capturing the LIGHT in Black and White in the ChiaroScuro Technique in the open air like the Impressionists.” New Wave Pochade Easels will be provided to all participants for use during your exclusive lesson, along with a comfortable pleinair chair to relax and draw during the class.

    All levels of experience in Drawing are welcome. A detailed supply list will be provided prior to the course.

    About the Instructor:
    Gina Torello is an accomplished, professional artist with more than 30 years of teaching experience in fine arts higher education. She earned her M.F.A. with a concentration in painting in Florence, Italy, from the Dominican University where she trained with renowned international instructors. Gina specializes in oil painting and pastels, focusing on a blend of impressionism and realism. Her subject matter is primarily nature-based with a heavy concentration in landscapes and seascapes. Gina’s work has been prominently featured in galleries, exhibitions, and art shows in the U.S. and abroad.